Servicing Stop Bloghttp://servicingstopblog.co.uk
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 12:00:59 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1A look back at the Lamborghini Countach (1974 – 1990)http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-makes/a-look-back-at-the-lamborghini-countach-1974-1990/
http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-makes/a-look-back-at-the-lamborghini-countach-1974-1990/#respondFri, 02 Dec 2016 11:54:51 +0000http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/?p=4618On those days, when there’s not much in the way of fresh news stories from the motoring world, we can allow ourselves to reminisce a little and revisit some of the classics of yesteryear. Today’s choice is particularly special; Ladies and Gentlemen, we give you the Lamborghini Countach…

From the moment the first prototype appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971, the Countach was an instant supercar icon. The first production edition didn’t appear until two years later, after a intensive period of work, where a litre in engine capacity was dropped, and ducts and vents were added to aid cooling. With the dramatic wedge style rising doors, and a maximum speed claimed in the region of 200mph from its 375bhp V12, the Countach truly was a concept car designed for the road. Despite its remarkable appearance, the Countach was a much more dynamically complete car than the Miura, featuring more grip on bends, plus much more stable high-speed cruising.

1978 saw Lamborghini release the Countach LP 400S. It marked the first proper rethink of the original design, and made a good deal of sense, for despite all the power and performance, the first edition wore relatively thin tyres. The revision saw Pirelli P7s fitted, and the bodywork was slightly altered the help the new tyres fit. The suspension was rebalanced to adapt to the new wide rear wheels, and the gregarious rear wing started to appear.

In 1982, the Countach was supplied with a new engine, which helped recover some of the lost high speed performance that washed when the new body kit was added.

Lamborghini flirted with a turbo-charged version of the V12 4.0-litre engine, but this was shelved early on in its development in favour of simply expanding the engine. When the LP500S was released, it had gained 800cc and only 10bhp, but the higher levels of torque massively improved the supercar’s drivability.

1985 saw further improvements, and perhaps the most significant when the LP500S was brought up to QV specification. The recently-enlarged 5167cc Quattrovalvole engine, designed by Giulio Alfieri, took power up to 455bhp, drastically improving acceleration and moving head and shoulders above Ferrari’s Testarossa. This was the Countach above all others. A series of final alterations were made in 1988 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of Lamborghini. The anniversary edition was the best-selling, with 667 editions made. Visually, it wasn’t as impressive as earlier editions, there was also no more power than the QV, but the far more luxurious interior proved popular with late 1980s supercar buyers.

]]>http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-makes/a-look-back-at-the-lamborghini-countach-1974-1990/feed/0Car production drops for first time in 14 monthshttp://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-news/car-production-drops-for-first-time-in-14-months/
http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-news/car-production-drops-for-first-time-in-14-months/#respondWed, 30 Nov 2016 11:48:35 +0000http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/?p=4615A drop in domestic demand was the main reason for UK car production falling for the first time in 14 months, industry figures revealed.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 151,795 vehicles were manufactured, a drop of 1% compared to October 2015.

The reason for the drop in production was attributed to past manufacturing for the UK being unsustainable; the drop was anticipated and was unlikely to reflect a slowdown in the economy due to the Brexit vote.

The SMMT said it remained at its highest level since 2005.

The industry body and manufacturers have been more worried about the possible consequences of the referendum on the vital export market.

The SMMT revealed that exports rose for the 15th consecutive month, a total of 122,765 vehicles were built for sale overseas.

The body’s chief executive, Mike Hawes, said: “October’s figures underline the export-led nature of the industry, with eight out of 10 cars built for overseas customers.

“Despite model changes which have ended the consistent growth pattern of the past year or so, we are still on track for a record number of exports.

“Given this dependence on global trade, it is crucial that British-built cars remain attractive to international buyers and exports are not subject to additional tariffs, costs and other barriers to successful trade.

“It is also essential government ensures there is economic stability and a competitive business environment to ensure we continue to attract the global investment that is behind this performance.”

There was widespread relief in Westminster last month after Nissan, which had expressed concerns about the future of its Sunderland plant in the absence of assurances about future policy, confirmed an investment program featuring new models in the North East.

News of the deal pushed both Nissan and the Government to refute suggestions that a ‘sweetheart deal’ had been agreed to satisfy the Japanese company’s concerns.

Other large car manufacturers, including the UK’s largest producer Jaguar Land Rover, have demanded equal treatment across the board. The situation was made more confusing on Wednesday, when it was revealed the Government were not disclosing the finer details of the financial promises it had made to Nissan, to the Office for Budget Responsibility ahead of the Chancellor’s autumn statement.

The Government has reiterated there are no liabilities regarding its assurances “as it currently stands” but it would not say whether this will change once Britain exits the EU.

]]>http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-news/car-production-drops-for-first-time-in-14-months/feed/0British insurers ask for driverless car datahttp://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-insurance/british-insurers-ask-for-driverless-car-data/
http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-insurance/british-insurers-ask-for-driverless-car-data/#respondMon, 28 Nov 2016 18:00:54 +0000http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/?p=4610Driverless car technology is becoming closer and closer to becoming an everyday reality; the changes necessary in the rules of the road however, still appear some way off.

The insurance industry has issued a demand for more data from carmakers, regarding accidents involving driverless vehicles, with specific attention to whom or what was culpable. Insurers are saying that motorists need to be able to prove they’re not at fault should the technology malfunction.

The Association of British Insurers wants vehicles to collect a basic set of core data which would be available following an accident. The information would detail the 30 seconds leading up to an accident, and the 15 seconds after. It would pinpoint the exact location of the car, and whether it was driving under an autonomous mode or via the driver. It would also be able to tell if the motorist was sitting in the driver’s seat and if they were wearing a seatbelt.

Director General of the ABI, Huw Evans said the data “would offer public reassurance by protecting motorists from being incorrectly blamed if something fails with their car, helping police investigations and supporting prompt insurance payouts.”

Looking long term, it’s possible that autonomous vehicles could make the roads so safe there would be little point in having motor insurance. But for the foreseeable future, as cars start to adopt autonomous technology, there could be a tricky transitional period for motorists.

Thatcham’s Matthew Avery said there would be a gradual change in the rules: “In 2019 you will be able to buy a car with an autopilot system where you can take your hands off the wheel for up to three minutes. But that will only work on a motorway.”

“When the customer can buy a car like this it’s going to be confusing to him to understand what is allowed. Do I have to be in control or can I get in the back of the car and have a sleep?” The answer, he says, is no – we will have to wait until the mid 2020s for a vehicle that can be left to get on with the job in all circumstances.

Until then, we’ll be somewhere in between – the messy middle ground – allowing the car to take a portion of the burden of driving, whilst monitoring closely the cars behaviour and the road.

]]>http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-insurance/british-insurers-ask-for-driverless-car-data/feed/0Parking prangs increase by 35% average length of cars growshttp://servicingstopblog.co.uk/saving-money/parking-prangs-increase-by-35-average-length-of-cars-grows/
http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/saving-money/parking-prangs-increase-by-35-average-length-of-cars-grows/#respondSat, 26 Nov 2016 17:55:31 +0000http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/?p=4607The steady increase in the amount of cars that are too big for conventional parking bays has led to a huge spike in the amount of minor parking prangs over the past two years, a report has revealed. A 35% increase in bumps, has been fuelled by the increasing amount of drivers purchasing ‘Chelsea tractors’ – 4x4s and SUVs. 90% of council managed car parks still follow guidelines set out by Whitehall on the correct size of a parking space: 4.8 metres long and 2.4 metres wide. At present, low-speed parking accidents cost motorists or their insurers a total of £1.4 billion a year.

The majority of the most popular SUVs either exceed the standard bay measurements or fit in so tightly that opening a door whilst parked is practically impossible if vehicles are parked side by side. This is ruling out many car parks for drivers of such vehicles, says the report.

Even a Ford Mondeo – a relatively standard car by comparison – exceeds the minimum limit by 6cm.

The study, conducted by Accident Exchange, a company that provides motorists with temporary cars, if they’ve been involved in a shunt, says that 675,000 parking prangs that happen each year – 1,849 a day – make up 30% of the 2.2 million prangs that occur each year nationally, leaving motorists or their insurers with an average repair bill of £2.050.

The report mentioned that: “Modern cars are too big for Britain’s ageing parking spaces [which] are too small to cope with consumers’ love affair with big family sports utility vehicles.”

It noted that: “The average space is just 4.8m long and 2.4m wide. However, popular SUVs like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class measure in at 5m-plus and nearly 2m wide.

“With the added challenge of pillars and tight ramps in multi- storey car parks, manoeuvring larger vehicles is now making some car parks no-go areas for motorists.”

The study also revealed that in addition to the increasing amount of SUVs on the roads, “smaller vehicles like the Vauxhall Corsa are significantly larger than their counterparts just 15 years ago – the popular hatchback has expanded by 16 per cent, a trend that persists across most vehicle segments”.

Car manufacturers say that many women like SUVs because the higher driving position gives them a better view, and they have more space.

Over the course of the survey more than 85,000 incidents were recorded between 2013 and 2016.

A spokesman for the company, Scott Hamilton-Cooper said: “Drivers are having to squeeze increasingly large cars into spaces that generally haven’t got any larger for a very long time.”

]]>http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/saving-money/parking-prangs-increase-by-35-average-length-of-cars-grows/feed/0Creepy footage shows ‘ghost girl’ on top of car as it speeds along busy roadhttp://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-news/creepy-footage-shows-ghost-girl-on-top-of-car-as-it-speeds-along-busy-road/
http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-news/creepy-footage-shows-ghost-girl-on-top-of-car-as-it-speeds-along-busy-road/#respondThu, 24 Nov 2016 17:36:42 +0000http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/?p=4604Creepy footage has emerged from Bangkok, where a car has been filmed driving at speeds of up to 50mph, seemingly with a young girl perched on top.

A group of superstitious Thais filmed what they believed to be a ghost, as they trailed the red car making its way down a busy road in the city.

Despite having the spooky passenger sat on the boot, the car was moving at speed through the traffic.

Police are currently trying to track the woman, who had long black hair and wore a stripy top.

The eerie clip was posted on social media where it has now gathered almost 3 millions views.

It was shot by photojournalist Powarit Katkul, in the Huai Khwang district of Bangkok, Thailand.

Ghosts, spectres, and the supernatural are heavily embedded in Thai culture, and apparitions are widely revered in the south-east Asian country.

In the clip, the young ‘passenger’ sits perfectly calmly, despite the vehicle moving at a fair pace. She only moves when noticing the fact she is being filmed by the pursuing car, and point at the occupants.

When Powerit spoke to police following the bizarre sighting, he said he “couldn’t believe his eyes.”

The video records him asking his fellow passengers: “Do you see what I see?”

In perhaps a disappointing twist to believers in the supernatural, the clip finishes with the ‘ghost girl’ attempting to open the door of the car when it becomes stationary, perhaps ruling out the chances of her being one of the undead.

This hasn’t ruled out the speculation on social media as to whether she’s a ghost or not.

Police checked the car’s licence plate and discovered that it has been cancelled by the Department of Land Transport and was registered to a brown Opel taxi.

However, the car in the footage is red and does not appear to be a taxi.

The brown Opel’s owner is currently being sought by police for questioning.

]]>http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/car-news/creepy-footage-shows-ghost-girl-on-top-of-car-as-it-speeds-along-busy-road/feed/0US demands that electric cars make noise at low speedhttp://servicingstopblog.co.uk/new-technology/us-demands-that-electric-cars-make-noise-at-low-speed/
http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/new-technology/us-demands-that-electric-cars-make-noise-at-low-speed/#respondTue, 22 Nov 2016 17:31:15 +0000http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/?p=4601In the US, a road safety body has demanded that electric cars travelling at low speeds be made to make a warning noise to alert pedestrians.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has voiced the need for the rule; due to the fact battery cars are virtually noiseless. The rule would benefit blind or visually impaired pedestrians in particular.

If introduced, the new safety law could help prevent 2,400 injuries a year, believes the NHTSA.

The proposed rule would see the cars in question emit a noise when in either forward or reverse transit, at a speed of under 19mph. The regulation would apply to all electric vehicles with four wheels and weighed less than 10,000 pounds (4.5 tonnes).

The noise emitted by the vehicles would be a two-tone siren similar to that made by HGVs make when reversing.

Higher speeds would render the siren unnecessary as wind and tyre noise would be loud enough to alert people of the oncoming vehicle.

“We all depend on our senses to alert us to possible danger,” said Anthony Foxx, US transportation secretary, in a statement.

He went onto say that the law will become increasingly necessary as hybrids and electric cars become quieter, and more of a presence on US roads.

Car manufacturers of the affected vehicles have until September 2019 to implement the changes that would see vehicles fitted with sound systems to generate the noise. However, it has been stipulated that those on the road one year before the deadline must also comply.

Eric Bridges, the director of the American council of the Blind, welcomed the new safety rule, saying it would provide an “additional safety cue for all pedestrians who share the streets with hybrid or electric vehicles”.

In Europe, car makers have until 1 July 2019 to fit all new models of hybrid and pure electric vehicles with its mandatory Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS), while all existing models have another two years to have it installed.

Across London, Berlin and Los Angeles, fake collisions were staged to promote the new series, launching November 19th.

King’s Cross in central London saw a white Toyota Prius – a hybrid car regularly the brunt of Clarkson ripostes – that appeared to have been shunted into a post box, crumpling its bonnet.

Other written off motors appeared on Berlin’s Hackescher Markt, and also on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in LA, where a blue Prius with the number plate CLARK5ON had been made to look like it had fallen from the sky.

Gary Rae, the campaign director of the road safety charity Brake, said: “This is a crass, insensitive and desperate stunt. Though I’m not surprised, as this team has a track record of glorifying speed, and ignoring the devastating consequences of dangerous driving. Programmes like Top Gear and its new rival, Grand Tour, need to recognise that car worship is dated and misplaced.”

Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: “The picture clearly illustrates that crashing cars can be incredibly dangerous. However, looking on the brighter side we note that the 2016 Toyota Prius scores the top-rated five stars in EuroNCAP crash tests. We wonder whether The Grand Tour will rate five stars with the viewers.”

Clarkson was fired from the BBC hit motoring show Top Gear after the presenter punched and verbally abused a producer. May and Hammond opted to leave with him.

Clarkson once went on record to say that the Prius was a “God-awful” car bought by “morons who think they’re saving the planet”.

“This is one of my least favourite cars in the world because as far as I can see it appeals on no levels at all,” he said in one Top Gear episode. “It certainly isn’t pretty. Honestly I’d rather look at a baboon. In fact, some to think of it, I’d rather look at the back of a baboon … and in a desperate bid to keep the weight down, they seem to have made it out of tracing paper.”

Toyota didn’t seem to mind, a spokesman said they were “very much looking forward to the series”.

]]>http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/general-knowledge/the-grand-tour-car-crash-stunt-crass-and-insensitive/feed/0Jaguar Land Rover to launch electric carhttp://servicingstopblog.co.uk/new-technology/jaguar-land-rover-to-launch-electric-car/
http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/new-technology/jaguar-land-rover-to-launch-electric-car/#respondWed, 16 Nov 2016 10:53:46 +0000http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/?p=4594Jaguar Land Rover is set to join the ranks of the electric vehicle manufacturers when they release their own version, currently slated for a 2020 launch. JLR – Britain’s largest car manufacturer – is working in conjunction with Ford and Tata Motors to test connected and automated vehicles in the UK.

The new car is expected to be placed within the crossover segment – combining passenger car and SUV qualities – but no official statement has yet been released as to when an announcement can be expected.

Over half a million cars are produced by JLR in the UK each year, 80% of which are exported.

The company has been focusing heavily on autonomous cars of late, a fleet set to be introduced by 2020. The company made tentative steps towards electric development last year, with an announcement that it was to enter the Formula E electric car championship. Speculation naturally followed that the racing car’s technology would be used as a blueprint for a future JLR electric fleet. Increasingly tighter emissions legislation is prompting car manufacturers to embrace the cleaner technology faster than ever before.

Regulations imposed by the EU have stipulated that JLR needs to reduce its combined fleet emissions by 45% by 2020, compared with the 2007 level. Penalties will be imposed if this is not accomplished.

Electric car development has pretty much been embraced fully by the majority of the big players. Recently Toyota revealed their electric car intentions despite having always been a major supporter of petrol/electric hybrids, plus fuel cell vehicles.

Last week, Toyota’s executive vice-president said: “The answer to Toyota’s ultimate eco-car is clearly the fuel-cell vehicle and our view has not changed. But just as we have a full line-up in terms of vehicle types and geographical reach, eco-cars are no exception. We want to have a system in place that would enable us to consider the launch of an electric vehicle.”

Volkswagen meanwhile is aiming to have converted 25% of its sales to electric by 2025. The first half of this year saw electric sales up 57% to 285,000. For the first time, the amount of electric cars of the world’s roads now exceeds 1 million.

]]>http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/new-technology/jaguar-land-rover-to-launch-electric-car/feed/0Samsung purchases connected car firm Harman for $8bn in cashhttp://servicingstopblog.co.uk/new-technology/samsung-purchases-connected-car-firm-harman-for-8bn-in-cash/
http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/new-technology/samsung-purchases-connected-car-firm-harman-for-8bn-in-cash/#respondTue, 15 Nov 2016 10:49:25 +0000http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/?p=4591Samsung has made a major move into the connected car technology realm by purchasing automotive electronics maker Harman International Industries for a reported $8bn (£6.4bn).

The offer of $112 per share is a 28% premium to the closing price of Harman stock posted at the close of trading on Friday. This marks the largest overseas purchase by a South Korean company.

Samsung have previously said that the development of automotive electronics was “a strategic priority”.

The connected technologies market is predicted to expand significantly over the next few years. Growth of $100bn is expected by 2025.

“The vehicle of tomorrow will be transformed by smart technology and connectivity in the same way that simple feature phones have become sophisticated smart devices over the past decade,” Young Sohn, Samsung’s president and chief strategy officer, said in a statement.

It’s been a difficult period for Samsung recently. The company was forced to initiate a huge recall of its Galaxy Note 7, after it was revealed to be a fire hazard. This saw an enormous drop in profits after production of the device had to be halted. The reputation of the company has suffered as a result of the controversy.

The majority of Samsung’s business comes from its Smartphone sales, but the company is looking to diversify and expand into other markets.

In 2015, the company formed a business division focused on automotive electronics. Investment was also made into Chinese carmaker, BYD.

Harman International Industries is based in Connecticut, and makes products used in upwards of 30 million vehicles. The deal should be finalised by mi-2017. The current chief executive, Dinesh Paliwal will remain in charge.

]]>http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/new-technology/samsung-purchases-connected-car-firm-harman-for-8bn-in-cash/feed/0Posh car capital of the UK revealed as Elyhttp://servicingstopblog.co.uk/saving-money/posh-car-capital-of-the-uk-revealed-as-ely/
http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/saving-money/posh-car-capital-of-the-uk-revealed-as-ely/#respondMon, 14 Nov 2016 10:42:52 +0000http://servicingstopblog.co.uk/?p=4588A new study has revealed the startling difference between the values of cars up for sale; depending on what region of the UK you happen to be in.

The study, conducted by Wizzle.co.uk – a consumer car selling service – has found Ely in Cambridgeshire, to be the posh capital of UK motoring. Rhondda meanwhile, deep in the Welsh valleys, is the place where the most budget cars are bought and sold.

The most expensive car currently up for sale on Wizzle, is a Lamborghini Gallardo which is based in London. But it’s Ely where the average prices of advertised cars is the highest, with an average asking price of £36,358 – twice as much as drivers in the surrounding counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire.

At Rhondda Cynon Taf in the valleys, average car prices barely reach quadruple figures, and the region currently features the cheapest car currently on Wizzle – a £500 nine year old Ford Ka.

The study also revealed that motorists in Birmingham, Leicester and Leeds are the least likely to opt for a part exchange of their vehicle, preferring cash. At the other end of the scale, motorists in Scotland and Wales are the most unlikely to online for a cash sale.

Wizzle founder Sébastien Duval said: “We decided to analyse the values of cars advertised around the country when somebody uploaded details of their Lamborghini Gallardo to sell. We wanted to test our assumption that the capital would be where all the best cars are offered.

“So it came as a surprise to find that Cambridgeshire was where the most expensive vehicles are being sold on Wizzle.

“Despite the appearance of a Lamborghini on our site, London actually falls somewhere in the middle of our national car values range, some way behind places like Hampshire, Gloucester, Shropshire and even the Isle of Wight. In fact, London doesn’t even make the top ten in terms of posh cars on sale.

“On the other side of the coin it seems to be Scotland and Wales where the cheaper cars tend to be most commonly offered, with the cheapest being in the valleys of South Wales. Interestingly that also coincides with our finding that fewer cars in general are being offered for a cash purchase in Scotland and Wales too.”

Bottom of Form

The towns or regions with the most expensive cars for sale on Wizzle are:

Ely, Cambridgeshire

East Hampshire

Isle of Wight

Torbay, Devon

Dacorum, Hertfordshire

Gloucester

Chiltern, Buckinghamshire

Castle Point, Essex

Telford & Wrekin, Shropshire

Sandwell, West Midlands

The towns or regions with the least expensive cars for sale on Wizzle are: